Lighting apparatus



May 31, l938.` LSCHEPMoEs 2,119,359

` LIGHTINGIAPPARATUS' Filed April 2, 1955 :s sheets-sheet 1.

May 3l, 1938. L. scHEPMoEs LIGHTING APPARATUS I Filed April 2, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INV E NTOR.

/NSLEY JCHEP/fofrs ATTORNEYS I Patented May 3l., 1938 UNi'ri-:o STATES m'rlszrrrA oFF-ICE 1 or to The Safety Car Heating` & Lighting Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application April 2, 1s claims.

This invention relates to lighting apparatus.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide lighting apparatus which will be simple, practical and thoroughly durable. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above character characterized by efficiency in operation and ease of installation. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above character which may be easily manufactured with a minimum amount of labor and from inexpensivematerials. Another object-is toprovide apparatus of thel above character which-may Iberir'istalled ina room, vehicle. or the like, without alteringm'aterial1y-. or "damaging in any waythe original structure of the room or vehicle. VAnother object is to provide apparatus of the above character complete in itself and requiring no additional parts, as, for example, conductors in the walls of the room in which it is installed. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above character which provides maximum lighting eiciency while guarding against glare or other undesirable qualities. Another vobject is to provide apparatus of the above character which will give oil',- an even intensity of illumination. Other objects will ,be in-part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of theappllcation of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is `shown one of the various possible embodiments l 3590i this invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of'an electrical illuminator to vbe used with my apparatus; Figure 2 isan end elevation' of one of the eflector plates to be used in my apparatus;

Figure 3 is a side elevation 'of a portion of my apparatus as'secured toY a. Wall Vor 'the like, certain of the'parts thereof'befing broken away;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View of another 45 portion of my apparatus as secured to a wall or the like; t

4Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of my apparatus taken along the line 5`5 of Figure 4:

Figure 6 is a vertical' sectional view ot my apparatus taken along the line 6 6 of Figure'fl;

Figure 'l is a side elevational view of my apparatus as installedgcertain portions'thereof being broken away;

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of 19st, sei-iai No. 14,266

(ci. 24o- 7.35)

if Figure isa top plan view ofthe socket Ashown in Figure 9.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several-views ofthe drawings.

Referring first to Figure 7, my apparatus is there shown installed on a wall or the like and preferably comprises a series of elongated tubular electrical illuminators generally indicated at III supported in substantial alignment along the wall by end sockets generally indicated at II and intermediate sockets generally indicated at I2. Preferably the illuminators I0 are surrounded by a plu'rality of spaced plate-like reflector members generally indicated at I3 whose planes are substantially perpendicular to the axes of the illuminators. The apparatus is so constructed that the various parts thereof are easily removable for purposes of repair or the like as will be more fully described hereinafter.l

y Turning now to Figure .1, there is shown one of the illuminators generally indicated at lli. These illuminators preferably comprise elongated tubular members I4 having metalend'caps I5 at their opposite ends and a filament I6 running axially therethrough. Filament I6 is electrically connected with end caps I5 so that contact with the end'caps may connect the'illuminator in acircuit. Tubular members I4 lmay be formed from any suitable material, as, for example, glass, and I prefer to use a clear glasstube in my apparatus.

As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, my apparatus may be installed at any point in a room'or thelike as to the ceilingvor wall generally indicated at I1. Thus "there is provided a plate generally indicated at I8. secured to the wall by screws or the likel Igenerally indicated at I9 which may be substantially egual in length to the length of my apparatuspn''any particular wall or ceiling, or in other instances, may be divided into individual sections secured `to the wall in end to end relation. As more clearly shown in Figure 5, the longitudinal edges Zt'of plate I8 rest against .um 13 and 14).

the wall-.l1 whereas the intermediate portion thereof is preferably suspended below the wall. Formed within plate I2 is a pair of longitudinal channels 2i and 22 bordering a central portion 22 which is preferably flat.

. Plate i2 has secured thereto sockets II and I2 preferably mounted in alignment along portion- 22 thereof and preferably regularly spaced from each other in order to receive therebetween a series of illuminators I2 of standard length.

'Socket I2 may be formed from any suitable composition having electrical insulating qualities, as, for example. b akeilte. As best shown in Figures 9 and 11-15, this socket comprises a baseportion 24 and a cylindrical portion 22 mounted thereon. Base portion 24 has formed in its bottom side longitudinal channels 22 and 21 (Figure 11), channel 21 connecting with an indentation 22. Base portion 24 is also provided with a pair of apertures 22 and 22 for the reception of fastening screws as will be more clearly described hereinafter.

Indentation 22 is located substantially above cylindrical portion 22 which has an annular ridge 2| formed in its inner surface and substantially dividing it in half. A spring contact part generally indicated at 22 is disposed within cylindrical portion 22 and preferably comprises sections 22 and 24 joined at its base 22 so that it is substantially U-shaped as viewed in the'section shown in Figure 13. Contact part- 22 is preferably formed from resilient metallic material and disposed immediately beneath its base 22 is a fastening block 22 preferably running throughout the width of the contact part. A rivet 21 is secured to block 22 and .extends through base portion 24 and into indentation 22. The end `of rivet 21 is headed over on a contact plate 28 (Figure 13) in indentation 22, this plate having a screw 22 threaded therein substantially opposite channel 21.

As best shown in Figures l2 and l5, cylindrical portion 22 is cut away to provide an opening 42 runningfrom a point near the bottom of the cylindrical portion substantially to base 24 and from the edge of the cylindrical portion substantially to annular ridge 2i. Similarly, section 24 of contact part 22 is open at this point (Figure 12) so that section 24 is substantially U-shaped. On the other hand, section 22 of contact part 22 is substantially circular in shape and has formed therein a central aperture 4i (Fig- As best shown in Figure 4, socket I2 may be connected to plate li2 by way of screws generally indicated at 42.

'nie construction of socket II is somewhat similartothatofsocket I2. Thussocket II has a base portion 42 (Figure i0) having formed in its bottom side longitudinal channels generally indicated at 44 similar in shape and position to channels 22 and 21 (Figure 11). one of these channels connecting with an indentation 42 (Figure 2). As better shown in Figure 3, a cupportion 42 is secured to base 42 having disposed therein a contact part generally indicated at 41 substantially similar in construction to contact part 22 (Figure l2). Thus contact part 41 is provided with a substantially circular portion 42 having an aperture 42. In section, as viewed in Figure 3,'contact part 41 is substantially U- shaped, the base thereof having a block 22 resting thereupon and connected with a rivet 2| extending through base 42 into indentation 42. Rivet 2| isheadedovcronacontactplateinwhich is threaded a screw 22 whose position is substantially similar to screw-.22 (Figure.12).

Cup portion 42 (Figure 3) has a shoulder 24 formed therein against which section 22 of contact part 41 rests. Base 42 is secured to plate I8 (Figure 3) by screws .generally indicated at 26. For a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter, I prefer to` secure a substantially circular and translucent plate member 21 to socket Il by way of a screw 22, this plate extending to ceiling I1 and being preferably similar in circumferential dimensions to plates l2.

As best shown in Figures 7 and 8, sockets Ii and I2 are so arranged along plate i8 that opening 42 is opposite either sockets Ii or sections 22a (Figure i3) of socket i2. Accordingly illuminators I2 may be easily inserted in pairs of sockets. For example, one end `of an illuminator I2 may be inserted in cup 42 of socket Il so that portion I2a of cap I2 (Figure l) fits within aperture 42 of contact part 41, the circular portion 42 thereof resting flush against the outer portion of the cap. Next.. the other end of the illuminator may be slipped through opening 40 in a socket II (Figure 7) so that portion i2a of the cap slips into the opening in section 34 of contact part 22. Section 22 thus rests against the outer portion of cap I2 about portion I2a there-l of to form a good electrical contact therewith. It will thus be seen that the insertion or removal of the illuminators IIl'from the sockets Il and I2 may be accomplished with ease and does not require any tools or intricate operations.

Reflector plates I2 may be formed from any suitable material, preferably opaque in character. They are here shown as die cast although ln certain instances I prefer to make them from sheet metal or the like. As best shown in Figure 2, plates I2 are substantially circular in shape having indentures 22 so that they may t about the individual illuminators as will be more fully described hereinafter. Formed in the sides of plates I2 opposite indentures 22 are holes 22 and 2|. all as best shown in Figure 2.

Reflector .plates I2 are preferably grouped in units, each unit of reflectors being designed to iit between two of the sockets and surround one of the illuminators I2. Thus several of the reflectors I2 are held in position between one end socket il and a socket I2 by a pair of bars generally indicated at 22 (Figures I and 8) while a group of reflectors I2 positioned between two of sockets I2 may be 'held in their allotted position by a pair of bars generally indicated at 22-. These un'its of reflector plates I2 are of standard length due to the standard distance between the sockets I2 and lIl and the sockets I2. Inasmuch as their construction and sise are substantially similar, one only will be described in detail.

Bars 22 extend through holes 22 and 2l (Figure 2) and the renectors are preferably regularly spaced along the bars. Although the reflectors may be secured to bars 22 in any convenient manner, I prefer to thread a plurality of nuts generally indicated at 24 .on the bars. those nuts being grouped in pairs one on each side of each reflector plate I2 to hold the reflector plates in their allotted position. Although reflectors I2 may be spaced along the bars 22 .any convenient distance, I prefer to so space them that a line drawn from the periphery of one of them to the Junction of the next succeeding reflector and the illuminator is at an 'angie of approximately 50 to the axis of the iliuminator. Bars 22 when in position within holes 22 and 2i (Figure 2) are spaced from each other a sumcient distance to lie above channels 2I and 22 (Figures 5 and 6) and nuts 64 are preferably round in shape so thatl upon at portion 23 of plate I8 and are secured.

in this position by a plurality of screws generally indicated at 66 (Figure 4). Accordingly these cover plates encloseA the space between each of the sockets and are conveniently situated for carrying conductors generally indicated at 61 which must of necessity run between the sockets. Thus the conductors may be connected to screws V39 and 53 as desired to achieve the desired circuitand run through channels 26 and 21 of the sockets II as well as channels 44 of sockets I2 (Figures 10 and 11) thus to achieve an'independent electrical connection between these vari- `wiring'for my entire lighting system may be contained within the apparatus and it therefore becomes unnecessary to run wires through the walls` or ceiling I1 to which the apparatus is secured.

Rotatablyconnected to cover plates v65,as best shown in Figure 8,.is a plurality of clip members .,`,generallygindicatediat 68 of suiicient length to extend over bars 62-and 63 when in a right angle position with respect lto the axes-ofvrilluminators Il) as will beA more fully described hereinafter. Thusa 4clip member 68 shown in Figure 5 preferably has a pin 69 extending therethrough and through cover plate 65 into the interior thereof. Pin 69 is provided with a head 10 and disposed between head 10 and the top of cover plate 65 is a spiral spring 1I.serving to continually force clip member 6B against the top of cover plate 65 and hence against the bars 62. Accordingly when clip members 68 are rotated so that the ends thereof are out of engagement with the bars,

' the bars are free to drop from plate I8, but when they are rotated into the position shown in Figures 5 and 8, they serve to hold the barsiirmly against the cover plate. Furthermore, due to the pressure exertedvby the spring member 1I, the nuts on the bars are held firmlyV against the cover platev against relative vibration.

As noted above, pairs of bars andI groups of reflectors I3 make up individual units to be placed between pairs of sockets. In order to safeguard further against glare, I prefer in some instances :to provide each of these units with an additional shade or the like comprising a translucent strip generally indicated'at 12 secured to the indentures 59 of reflectors I3 and in substantial align- Tmenf, with inuminators lo. strips 12 may be secured to the reflectors in any convenientv manner this depending upon the characteristics of the reflector plate used.' In this instance the labove mentionedas well Asuccessfully accomplished.

'l I claim:

threaded into socket having a continuous end, as, for example, section 25a of socket I2 (Figures 7 and 8). Next the illuminator is moved longitudinally against the spring pressure of contact part 32 (Figure 4) portion Ia of cap I5 of the illuminator fitting within aperture 4l of the contact part. The free end of illuminator I Il may then be slipped through opening l0 of another socket I2 and thence into position in contact with portion-3l of its contact part 32 (Figure 4). The illuminator is now in position and ready for use.'

Next, one of the refiectorunits is placed in position over vthe illuminator. Clip members V68, between the two sockets in which the illuminator has been inserted, are moved over the cover plates so that the bars may be brought down upon plate I8, the illuminator being located within the indentures 59 of reflector plates I3. After this,

extend over the bars 62 or 63 of the unit to hold the reflector4 unit. in assembled relation. The apparatus is then in position for operation and, of course, the remaining units may be assembled or disassembled in a like manner.

When in this assembled position, strips 12 (Figures 3 and 8) 'lie substantially-in front of illuminators I0 so that the line of vision of a person looking at the apparatus will not directly contact the fllament in the illuminators. Of course the position of strips 12 with respect to the illuminators may be varied accordingto the position Awhich the apparatus is to occupy so that these strips prevent undue glare. when glanced at from any normal position of an occupant ofthe room. t

It should be particularly noted'that it is very easy .to-'remove the individual units for purposes of repair by merely rotating the clip members 68 and pulling one end of the illuminators from one of the sockets. If it becomes necessary to examine the wiring of the apparatus for any reason, it ris a simple matter to remove cover plates 65 to expose the wiring, this factor having a marked advantage over many common systems of lighting where, under such circumstances, it is necessary to rip out portions of the wall, ceiling, or the like. The entire design of the appaachieved from light .and inexpensive materials which are easy to work during manufacture and which are more desirable for use in modern building of any sort.`

It will thus be seen'that I have provideda practical, efcient, and lthoroughly durable apparatus in which the several `objects hereini as many others are As many possible embodiments'may bel made of the above invention andwas many changes might be made in the embodimentabove set forth, it is to be understood 'that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1. In lighting apparatus, in'combination, a ceiling, a base member secured to said ceiling,

. ia plurality of socket members secured to said base member at spaced intervals therealong, a pluralityv of longitudinal light bulbs disposed within said socket members and bridging the space therebetween, a plurality of plate-like re-l flectors adapted to iit about said bulbs, and means movably secured to said base member for `the clip members 68 are given a half turn to v yratus lends itself to a structurer whichv maybe detachably holding said reilectors to said base member at spaced points along said bulbs.

2. In' lighting apparatus, in combination, a ceiling, a base member secured to said ceiling, a plurality of socket members secured to said base member at spaced intervals therealong, a plurality of longitudinal light bulbs disposed within said socket members and bridging the space therebetween, a plurality of plate-like reectors adapted to t about said bulbs, an elongated member secured to said base member, said reiiectors being secured to said elongated member for holding said reilectors as a unit to said base member at spaced points along said bulbs, said socket members holding said bulbs in substantial augment, and'means for detachably mounting said unit in related assembly with said light bulbs.

3. In lighting apparatus. in combination, a ceiling, a base member secured to said ceiling. a plurality of socket members secured to said base member at spaced intervals therealong, a plurality of longitudinal light bulbs disposed within said socket members and bridging the space therebetween, a plurality ci plate-like reiiectors adapted to fit about said bulbs, means for holding said reiiectors to said base member at spaced points along said bulbs said means being detachable whereby said reflectors may be removed wlthcut disturbing said bulbs, said socket members adapted to hold said bulbs in substantial alignment, said socket members having base members with longitudinal channels formed therein, and a plurality oi' channel parts iltting between the respective base members oi said sockets and having their open sides resting upon said base members to enclose electrical conductors running to said socket members.

4. In lighting apparatus, in combination, a base, a plurality of socket members secured to said base at spaced points therealong, said socket members being in substantial aligenment,`

a plurality o! tubular electrical illuminators dis posed within said socket members and bridging the space therebetween, means disposed within said socket members for achieving an electrical contact with said illuminators, pairs oi spaced bars detachably secured to said base, each pair being located between two of said socket members, and a plurality of plate-like reflectors secured to said bars st spaced points therealong.

5. In lighting apparatus, in combination, a bese, a plurality ci socket members secured to said bese at spaced points therealong, said socket members being in mbstantial alignment, a plurslityoi tubular electrical illuminstors disposed within said socket members and bridging the space therebetween, means disposed within said socket members for achieving an electrical contact with said illuminstors. pairs oi spaced barsdetachablysecuredtosaidbase,eachpair being located between two oi seid socket members, said bars being threaded, a plurality of nuts on said bars, and a plurality of plate-like reiiectors secured to said bars at spaced intervals by pairs oi said nuts.

8. In lighting apparatus, in combination, a base, s plurality of socket members secured thereto at spaced points therealong, said socket members being in alignment and having base portions, said base portions having llongitudinal channels formed therein, contact members secured within each socket member and extending throughssidbaseportiontooneoisaidchsnnels,

anasso a plurality of longitudinal cover plates bridging the space between each of said base portions and resting upon said base to enclose conductors running between said socket members, said cover plates being secured to said base,'pairs of spaced bars, each bar bridging the space vbetween respective pairs oi socket members, a plurality of reflector plates secured to said bars, a plurality of electrical illuminators disposed within respective pairs of socket members and bridging the space therebetween. said reiiectors having apertures through which said illuminators extend, and means for detachably securing said bars to said base.

7. In lighting apparatus, in combination, a base, a plurality of socket members secured thereto at spaced points therealong, said socket members being in alignment and having base portions. said base `portions having longitudinal channels formed therein, contact members secured within each socket member and extending through said base portion to one of said channels, a plurality of longitudinal cover plates bridging the space between each of said base portions and resting upon said base to enclose conductors running between said socket members, said cover plates being secured to said base, pairs of spaced bars, each bar bridging the space between respective pairs of socket members, a plurality oi reiector plates secured to said bars, a plurality of electrical illuminators disposed within respective pairs of socket members and bridging the space therebetween, said reilectors having apertures through whicl` said illuminators extend, and means for detachably securing said bars to said base, said lsocket members having cylindrical portions within which the ends of said illuminators iit and openings in the rides thereof so that said illuminators may 'beinserted or removed in sldewise directions with respect to the axes of said illuminators whereby said illuminators may be removed for repair. f

8. In lighting apparatus. in combination, a base. a plurality of socket members secured thereto at spaced points therealong, said socket members being in alignment and having base portions. said base portions having longitudinal channels formed therein, contact members secured within each socket member and extending throughsaid base portion to one of said channels, a plurality of longitudinal cover plates bridging the space between each of said base portions and resting upon said base to enclose conductors running between said socket members, said 'cover plates being secured to said base, pairs of spaced bars, each bar bridging the space between respective pairs of socket members. a plurality of reilector plates secured to said bars, a plurality oi' electrical illuminators disposed within respective pairs of socket members and bridging the space therebetween, said reflectors having apertures through which said illuminators extend. and a sexies oi fastening parts pivotallyconnected to said cover plates and adapted to extend over said bars to w lilector parts being substantially atright angles to said wall. said reflectors being removable from their installed position withoutdisconnecting or removing said illuminators.

10. In lighting apparatus, in combination, a

I supporting surface, an elongated channel member secured to said surface, anilluminating element secured to said surface adjacent said channel member, electric conductors disposed in said channel member and connected to said illuminating element, securing means attached to said channel member, and a plurality of reflectors adapted to t about said illuminating element and secured to said securing means, said reflectors lying in parallel planes normal to the axis of said channel member,

`11. In lighting apparatus, in combination, a

l supporting surface, an elongated channel member secured to said surface, an illuminating element secured to said surface adjacent said channel member, electric conductors disposed in said channel member and connected to said illuminating element, an elongated member secured to said channel member, and a plurality of plate-like reflectors adapted to fit about said illuminating means and attached to said elongated member,

said reflectors lying in parallel planes normal to the axis of said channel member.

12. In lighting apparatus, in combination, a supporting surface, an elongated channel member secured to said surface,an illuminating element secured to said surface adjacent said channel member, electric conductors disposed in said channel member and connected to said illuminating element, an elongated member, a plurality of plate-like reilectors adapted-to fit about said illuminating means and attached to said `elongated member, and means for detachably securing' said elongated member to said channel member, whereby said reiiectors and said elongated member may be readily attached to or detached from said channel members as a unit.

13. In lighting apparatus, in combination, a support, an elongated substantially U-shaped channel member secured to said support, an elongated illuminator secured to said support adjacent said channel member, electric conductors disposed in said channel member and connected to said illuminator, a pair of bar members, a plurality of plate-like reiiectors secured to said bar members in spaced relationship whereby said.

reflectors comprise a unit adapted to fit about said illuminator, and means for securing said unit to said channel member.

14. In lighting apparatus, in combination, a support, an elongated Illuminator secured to said support, a. plurality of spaced reiiectors secured together as a unit and disposed about said illuminator, and means for securing said unit to said said plate between adjacent pairs of sockets, and

reector units disposed about said illuminators and secured tosaid supporting members.

16. lin lighting apparatus, in combination, an elongated light source, means for directing the rays'emanating from said light source substantially at right angles to the axis of said light source, said means including parts detachably associated as a unit with said light source, and means engageable at will with said unit for maintaining it-in related assembly with said light source.

17. In lighting apparatus, inicombination, a horizontal elongated light source for emanating light rays radially therefrom, means for directing the rays emanating from said light source substantially at right angles to the axis of said light source, and means associated with said firstmentioned means for obstructing some of said light rays.

18. In lightingr apparatus, in combination, a support, an elongated channel member secured to said support, an elongated illuminator secured to said support adjacent said channel member, electric conductors disposed in said channel member and connected to said Illuminator, a plurality of plate-like reectors', each of which'has a substantially U-shaped slot formed therein, anA elongated part secured to said reectors to mount said reiiectorsas a unit adapted to flt about said illuminator, and means for securing said unit to -said channel member. 

